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Marvels by Kurt Busiek & Alex Ross: Review/summary
Book cover for Marvels

Marvels

By Kurt Busiek & Alex Ross

Length: 193 pages

Rating: 9.5/10

First Published: 1993

Get it: UK 🇬🇧 | US 🇺🇸

Last read: 2019

This book features superheroes but it’s not about them. It’s an original, one-of-a-kind human story that I recommend if you mildly enjoyed any Marvel movie.

It’s a 9/10 for the story. Only a 9 because there are a few drawn-out passages that killed the rhythm for me.

The art by Alex Ross is most definitely a 10/10. Every single panel is a painting. And it’s stunning too. The amount of work that must be required for this, and at this level of detail, is incredible.

Summary

The advent of superheroes, through the eyes of a photojournalist.

This book is an examination of what happens inside people’s heads as mutants and superpowers become part of their lives. The story follows Phil Sheldon’s life as he goes to WWII, gets married, writes a book, and becomes a mentor, among others.

Audio Drama/Podcast

Marvel and Stitcher made an Audio Drama version of it. You can read my quick review of that version here. It’s available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts and other platforms.


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